Yarn-transfer mechanism



Jan. 27, 1948. E. H. SCHMIDT 2,434,963

YARN-TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. E 00/1,? H. SCHMIDT BY fEZ/ ATTORNEK Jan. 27, 1948. E. H. SCHMIDT 2,434,963

YARN-TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1946 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 Q a g 3 Q L M 1 T w A 7' TORNEX Jan. 27, 1948.

E. H. SCHMIDT YARN-TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1946 .3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. DGAR/i-SCHM/DT v BY 09 a;

A TTORN'X Patented Jan. 27, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE YARN-TRANSFER MECHANISM Edgar H. Schmidt, Wilmington, Del., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1946, Serial No. 680,389

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for transferring yarn. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for transferring wet viscose rayon yarn from an element where the yarn is at a positive tension level to a yarncollecting device where the yarn assumes a substantially zero tension level.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved yarn-transferring mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for transferring yarn from a positive tension level to a substantially zero tension level. v

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for transferring yarn from a positive tension level to a substantially zero tension level wherein the formation of wraps is eliminated and continuity of operation is obtained.

A further ob ect of this invention is to provide a new apparatus for causing yarn to descend by its own weight in a substantially vertical path directly to a collecting surface.

Other and additional objects will become apparent hereafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished, in general, by positioning, between the element where the yarn has a positive tension level and the collecting device to which the yarn is transferred and where the yarn assumes a substantially zero tension level, a continuously rotating roll in which the periphery, on which the yarn is fed, is formed of a plurality of flippers and wherein, during rotation of the roll when the trailing edge of a flipper which lies close to the leading edge of the following flipper is advanced to a predetermined position, said flipper is actuated so that the trailing edge thereof moves outwardly at an accelerated speed until said flipper is advanced to the point of discharge, at which point the trailing edge is snapped sharply inwardly and away from the yarn and the latter descends by its own weight in a substantially vertical path to the collecting device where it assumes a substantially zero tension level. The point at which the trailing edge of the flipper begins to move outwardly is from 40 to 90 from.

the vertical, and to which point the flipper has been advanced by rotation of the roll. The discharge point at which the trailing edge of the flipper is snapped inwardly and out of contact with the yarn is that at which the yarn on said trailing edge is directed downwardly in a path perpendicular to the collection device. It is to be noted that the flipper moves on its own bear- 2 ing through an are equal to an angle of 90 as it progresses from the beginning of the opening to the point of discharge.

The details of the invention will be more clearly apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation illustrating the yarn-transfer mechanism in position and receiving the yarn under a positive tension from processing rolls and delivering the yarn onto a yarn-collecting device where it assumes substantially zero tension;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the yarn-transfer mechanism;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged end view of the preferred form of flipper.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, and particularly to Figure 1, the reference numeral Ill designates a wet rayon yarn being drawn, from a series of stretching rolls on which it has 5 been subjected to high. tensions, by positively driven rollers l4, l6 and I8. The yarn I0 is delivered to the transfer device, generally designated by the reference numeral 20, from which it is discharged to a moving collecting belt 22 pcsitioned beneath the yarn-transfer mechanism 20. The collecting belt 22 is of the continuous type trained over a pair of spaced rollers 24 (only one of which is shown) and conveys the yarn l0 received thereon for further processing, such as washing and purifying. In the form shown, the surface of the belt which receives the yarn is horizontal and parallel to the floor. The speed of travel of the belt 22 is such that it imposes no tension on the freely falling yarn.

The yarn-transferring mechanism comprises a roll in which the periphery is formed of a plurality of flippers 30. Each flipper 30 is secured to a shaft 32 by a plurality of spaced rivets 34, there being a separate shaft 32 for each flipper 30. Since the details of construction of all of the flippers and all of the means cooperating therewith are identical, only one flipper and the aasaoos central hub 48 and 50 respectively, through which 7 a shaft 54 extends. The shaft 54 is driven in any suitable manner by means (not shown) and constitutes the drive means of the transfer mecha: nism. Taper pins 56 and 58, passing through the respective hubs 48 and ill and also through the shaft 54, secure the discs 40 and 48 to the shaft whereby, upon rotation of the shaft 54, the discs and the flippers carried thereby will be rotated.

As shown in Figure 8, the outer surface 62 of each of the flippers 88 which constitutes yamsupporting means is curved on a radius from the center of the shaft 54. As is also shown in Figure 3, each flipper 38 is eccentrically secured onto its respective shaft 82, i. e. adjacent the leading edge 66 thereof, so that upon rotation of the shaft 32 in the appropriate direction the trailing edge 88 will be moved outwardly. The trailing edge 68 is rounded for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter. The shafts 82 are so spaced and the flippers 80 are of such length that when in normal position the trailing edge 68 of a flipper will be in close proximity to the leading edge 88 of the following flipper. Each flipper. 88 extends transversely of the unit between the discs 40 and 46, as shown in Figure 2.

The end 42 of the shaft 82 projecting from thedisc 46 passes through an aperture in the upper I end of a cam lever 12. A taper pin 14 passing through aligned holes in the cam lever 12 and the end 42 of the shaft 32 rigidl secures the cam lever 12 on the shaft, whereby movement of the cam lever will rotate the flipper shaft. At its opposite end, the cam lever 12 carries a cam roller stud 80, on which a cam roller 82 ,is mounted. A collar 84 maintains the cam'roller 82 in position on the stud 80.

The cam roller 82 cooperates with a cam 86 which is secured by lag bolts 88 to a cam-supporting plate 88, which, in turn, is carried on a journal 82 constituting a cam support. The journal 92 is loosely (non-rotatably) mounted on the shaft 54. A long bushing 84 is positioned intermediate the journal 82 and the shaft 54. One end of the journal 92 is positioned in close relationship to the outer surface of the hub 50, and it carries a pair of bushings 86 at each end thereof, whereby the shaft 54 is rotatably mounted thereon. The journal 82 is provided with a flange 98, and the cam-supporting plate 80 is securely fastened thereto by means of lag bolts I00. For reasons which will become apparent hereafter. a cam control ring I02 is mounted on the cam support 82 and is secured to the cam-supporting plate 90 by rivets I04.

The contour of cam 88 is such that, when the trailing edge of a flipper reaches a point close to where a p pendicular to the floor is tangent to the roll face. the cam will actuate the flipper shaft 82 and cause the trailing edge to move outwardly from its normal position and move at an accelerated velocity along such tangent until the point of discharge is reached, at which point the contour of the cam 86 is such that the cam lever 12 will actuate the flipper shaft 82 so that thetrailing edge of the flipper at the discharge point is snapped sharply away from the yarn.

In the form illustrated in Figure 3, the cam is of such a contour and-so positioned that the 4 is rapidly retracted. finally to its original position. after it has thereafter been advanced through the arc corresponding to the angle 3.

- In the form shown, angle B is 90 and angle A The cam can be made of such-a contour that the trailing edge begins to move outwardly after it is advanced through an angle of from the vertical and the accelerated movement is obtained during further advancement through an angle of 45", at the end of which the snap action is obtalned.

For even lay-down on the receiver. the yarn of the roll 90 from the vertical. though preferably the outward movement of the trailing edge of the flipper should start before it leaves a point 90 from the vertical. It is to be noted that when the yarn is disposed between the last two flippers. it-is in essentially point-to-point contact on the trailing edges of such flippers.

Though, in general, the outward and accelerated downward movement and the snap retraction of theflippers is all preferably effected in that zone between 45 from the vertical and from the vertical, the invention is not restricted thereto. By the use of an appropriate earn, the outward and downward movement and the snap movement, respectively,-of the flippers can be obtained at any predetermined points, prior to 90 beyond the point of tangency of a line from the face of the unit to the floor.

For best results, the outer curved surface 62 of each of the flippers is serrated, as indicated by the reference numeral I88. In such a construction, a line passing over the top points of the serrations forms a surface which is curved on a radius from the center of the shaft 54.

The can; It, or the support therefor, is preferably adjustably mounted in the machine so that it can be moved into the desired position.

The collection device 22, in the preferred form of the invention, is positioned approximately 38" to 42" below the point of discharge of the yarn from the transfer mechanism 20.

As shown in Figure 1, a considerable length of yarn itfextends-from the roll l8 to the transfer mechanism and forms a catenary therebetween. The tension on the input to the transfer unit can be adjusted by controlling the speed of rotation of the transfer unit with respect to the speed of the yarn furnished to it. Yarn tensions at the input may vary up to almost the breaking tension of the yarn. The lowest tension is that supplied by the weight of the yarn alone. The highest tension can be obtained by any appropriate means cooperating with the flippers at the point where the yarn is fed onto the transfer mechanism. For example, a roll may be provided which is in contactual relationship with a flipper passing therebeneath and between which the yarn passes onto said flipper. Thus, input tensions of 1,000 or more grams can be easily obtained.

The transfer of the yarn does not depend on the supply thereof to any particular position of the transfer'mechanism, though. in general. it is preferred that the yarn be delivered to the top of the unit or adjacent to the top where the flippers are in normal position. However, the maintenance of the yarn in avertical direction by the flipper immediately before and at the point of discharge is-important.

Slippage of the yarn on the flippers is not critical but preferably it should not exceed 2% to 5%. This can be controlled by the relationship of the length of the catenary at the feed and the free-fall length of the yarn. In general, the free-fall length of the yarn and the length of the catenaries are such that sufficient traction is imparted to the yarn.

The moisture content of the yarn is not critical and can be from essentially zero to the maximum which the yarn can absorb and entrain. However, transfer is more effective when the yarn is soft and pliable and contains from 150% to 300%.

The invention is particularly suitable with yarns having a denier above 500, such as 1100 and 2200. Yarns of lower denier can be transferred if the mass is increased, such as by wetting, or if the length of the free-fall beyond the transfer unit is increased. The precise free-fall distance necessary for the transfer of small denier yarn, such as 250 or less, can be ascertained by a simple empirical test run.

The speed of yarn transfer depends on the speed of rotation. Satisfactory yarn transfer is obtained when the roll is rotated so that the peripheral surface thereof has a speed of 1,000" to 20,000, or higher, per minute.

The invention is particularly suitable with wet viscose tire cord yarn of zero twist, but, in general, can be used for the transfer of yarn of any type, with or without twist, from an element where the yarn has a positive tension level to a tension device where the yarn assumes a substantially zero tension level.

The elements of the apparatus are constructed from materials which are resistant to the treating solutions to which the yarn was subjected prior to transfer. In the case of viscose yarn, the elements of the apparatus should be resistant to water, dilute acids, complex sulfur compounds, and mineral salt solutions. Examples of such construction materials are hard rubber, stainless steel, plastics, glass, and enameled steel. Preferably, the material used for the flipper surface contacting and supporting the yarn is capable of taking a high polish and is resistant to abrasion. The flipper shaft should have good bearings, and these should be adequately lubricated and enclosed to prevent wear and oil-contamination by water or otherwise. Rigidity and lightness are prime requisites in the assembly in order to reduce wear and to give smooth operation at high speeds. The mass of the flippers and their supports should be kept low and the actuating mechanisms arranged so as to be affected as little as possible by the application of force required to actuate the flipper mechanism. The transfer mechanism can be made so as to support any number of yarns.

The present invention provides a yarn-trainsfer mechanism in which wraps are eliminated and continuity of operation is obtained.

Since it is obvious that various changes and modiflcations may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be trans ferred is fed thereon, means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular to the floor at the point of yarn discharge, and means operative at the point of dischargerto snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

2. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed thereon, cam means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to 90 from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular to the floor at the point of yarn discharge, and cam means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

3. A yarn-transfer mechanism, positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed thereon, the surface of the flipper receiving the yarn being curved on a radius from the center of said shaft, means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to 90 from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular to the floor at the point of yarn discharge, and means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

4. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collectiondevice comprising a rototing shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts. rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of. the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed thereon, the surface of the flipper receiving the yarn being serrated with the tops of the serrations curved on a radius from the center of said shaft, means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to 90 from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular to the floor at the point of yarn discharge, and'means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

5. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentlally of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed thereon, the surface of the flipper receiving the yarn being serrated with the tops of the serrations curved on a radius from the center of said shaft, cam means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to 90 from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular tothe floor at the point of yarn discharge, and cam means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

6. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaceddiscs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the'leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed thereon, said flipper being eccentrically mounted on said shaft whereby upon movement of said shaft the trailing edge of the flipper will be moved outwardly, means to actuate: the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to 90 from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular to the floor at the point of yarn discharge, and means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed thereon, said flipper being eccentrically, mounted on said shaft whereby upon movement of said shaft the trailing edge of the flipper will be moved outwardly, cam means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit of from 45 to from the vertical to move the trailing edge of said flipper in an outward direction and downwardly at an accelerated speed to dispose the yarn in a straight path perpendicular to the floor at the point of yarn discharge, and cam means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

8. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotation shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the

trailing edge of each flipper being in close prox-' imity to the leading edge .of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached 'a point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

9. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipperin normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, cam means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and cam means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

10. A yam-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, 9. pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, the surface of the flipper receiving the yarn being curved on a radius from the center of said shaft, means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

11. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs clrcumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, the surface of the flipper receiving the yarn being serrated with the tops of the serrations curved on a radius from the center of said shaft, means to actuate the shaft'of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the gollection device in a path perpendicular to the cor.

12. A yam-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatabiy mounted in said discs circumferent'iaily of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs,

the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge of the followin flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, the surface of the flipper receiving the yarn being serrated with the tops of the serrations curved on a radius from the center of said shaft, cam means 10 to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a. point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and cam means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

13. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentialiy of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being inclose proximity to the leading edge of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, said flipper being eccentrically mounted on said shaft whereby upon movement of said shaft the trailing edge of the flipper will be moved outwardly, means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactual relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

14. A yarn-transfer mechanism positioned above the floor and a collection device comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of spaced discs secured to said shaft, a plurality of flipper shafts rotatably mounted in said discs circumferentially of the mechanism, a flipper secured to each flipper shaft and extending between said discs, the trailing edge of each flipper being in close proximity to the leading edge-of the following flipper in normal position and when the yarn to be transferred is fed onto the flippers, said flipper being eccentrically mountedon said shaft whereby upon movement of said shaft the trailing edge of the flipper will be moved outwardly. cam

means to actuate the shaft of each flipper when said flipper has reached a point in the rotation of the unit at which a line tangent thereto is perpendicular to the floor to move the trailing edge of said flipper outwardly and downwardly at an accelerated speed in said line during the continued rotation of the discs to the point of discharge, and cam means operative at the point of discharge to snap the flipper inwardly whereby said flipper will be quickly moved out of contactuai relationship with the yarn and the yarn will descend to the collection device in a path perpendicular to the floor.

EDGARH. scmno'r. 

